For The Time Being:
new images, thoughts, observations and a bit of this and that

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Catching up and being grateful

I can't believe the last time I posted was in September. I have been so wrapped up in preparing for my new job as an adjunct, prepping and planning workshops and getting into the studio that I just haven't had the energy to do a post. I am so grateful that it is Thanksgiving week. Here is a quick recap:

Teaching:

I have been teaching for about 5 years now. Encaustic, pigment sticks, mixed media, and most recently college 2d design and drawing. I am getting better at planning and preparing for workshops but college teaching has a huge learning curve. I like the kids very much but the prep, grading and policing is a bit overwhelming. I know it will get easier. I am having fun revisiting the basics of point, line, plane, grid, positive and negative etc....

grid with repeating elements

I have been busy planning and booking workshops for 2012. I am grateful for these opportunities to teach, travel and work with great people.

Local artist and activist Leslie Neumann gathered a roster of stellar artists who work in diverse methods, but share the common bond of using encaustic, a wax based paint with luminous qualities.

Hailing from divergent places such as Portland, OR, Santa Fe, NM, Maine and the New York City area, each artist brings a unique and exciting perspective to this ancient medium. Viewers will be astounded by the floating installations of Lorrie Fredette, the kinetic sculptures of former dancer Kim Bernard, and the political bite of Russell Thurston. Wax gets nostalgic with the photo-based paintings of Marybeth Rothman, and brilliantly abstract in the hands of Lisa Pressman.

Leslie Neumann and Elise Wagner draw our attention upward with paintings that explore the cosmos. Artists who present a more down-to-earth perspective are the seed-studded altars of Ann Taylor Gibson, and the geological sculptures of Laura Moriarty.

This exhibition not only will feature the diversity of wax in art, but will also provide our community with a fun, educational component featuring the history of wax and all its other versatile uses.

I am thrilled to be included in the inaugural edition ofEncaustic Works ‘11, a juried show in print by Joanne Mattera. My work was selected to be part of the portfolio section of the book.

Studio News:

My studio is in a state of disarray. I have many pieces working and just a few close to finished. I have been painting with oils, pigment sticks, ink and wax and having that "not knowing" feeling. All I do know, is when I am in the studio I know that is where I am supposed to be.

My office has become not only the communication, marketing and "sales" center but my 2D design studio. How many jobs do we all have as artists?......tooooo many.

My website needs attention so that is on my list for the near future. I have been working on my artist statement. The never ending tweaking and retweaking....Here it is as of today:

My work is rooted in play, a sense of discovery
and a passion for revealing the unknown. Images emerge from my translation
of experiences of the outside world, and are internalized through the lens of
the inner eye. I am interested in motion, energy and balance both formally and
metaphorically.

The paintings develop through an intuitive
dialog between deliberate and random marks, allowing a relationship between
intent and accident to unfold. Time and memory are evoked through the process
of layering and scraping. The working process is inseparable from the completed
image, which stands as a witness to the history of its making.

Art Seeing News:

Part of my deal with myself with traveling into NYC for teaching is not to waste the money I spend just on the commute. Recently, I went to see DeKooning which was overwhelming and I need to see it again. What struck me this first visit was the that those last paintings seemed to be the last of his memory of his painting structure that he used throughout his life.

Wow, such a great post, Lisa! You made up for lost time. It's so good to see your active studio and hear about what you're doing. Good luck on keeping all those balls in the air! The Pousette Dart works are so fabulous!

Wow, you have been busy! It was nice seeing your work and all that you are doing. A post doesn't have to be long you could keep in touch with just a picture and a short note. I love seeing your work and it would be very much appreciated! Congratulations for a wonderful, busy year and more to come in the New Year!

In the studio

About Me

Studio Visits allow me to work closely with students eager to take next steps, often after meeting at a live workshop. Do you want to harness that energy and build on what you’ve learned? Check out these opportunities to work more closely with me and my community. Virtual Visits offer more personal, in-depth responses to artists while they are working on ongoing projects. Artists can engage at their own pace with custom tailored curriculum based on their particular experience and needs. Mentoring sessions can be purchased in blocks of 3 hours of “one-on-one” time (1/2 hour increments usually work great through Skype). It’s more like a studio visit but I also do demos on request.

Artists who would like to participate In this personal course of study can buy a 3-hour block for $525. Payments are accepted by check or via PayPal.

This three hours of individual time can be used by appointment for one year from the date of purchase. (1/2 hour increments usually work via Skype or Facetime.) It’s more like a studio visit but I will also do one-on-one teaching or demos.